"Balatro Dev Localthunk Addresses AI Art Controversy on Reddit"

Localthunk, the creative force behind the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, recently intervened in a controversy brewing within the game's subreddit community. The issue centered around a now-former moderator, DrTankHead, who also moderates a NSFW Balatro subreddit. DrTankHead had publicly stated that AI-generated art would be allowed on both subreddits, provided it was properly tagged and claimed. This stance was purportedly supported by discussions with Playstack, the game's publisher.

However, Localthunk quickly clarified their position on Bluesky, stating that neither they nor Playstack condone AI-generated art. They further elaborated on the Balatro subreddit, emphasizing their opposition to AI art due to its potential harm to artists. Localthunk confirmed the removal of DrTankHead from the moderation team and announced a new policy banning AI-generated images from the subreddit, with plans to update the rules and FAQ accordingly.

Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the existing rules could have been misinterpreted and committed to clarifying the language to prevent future confusion. Meanwhile, DrTankHead, after being removed as a moderator of r/Balatro, mentioned in the NSFW Balatro subreddit that they were considering a designated day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art, though they clarified that making the subreddit AI-centric was not their intention.

This incident highlights the broader debate surrounding generative AI in the gaming and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs recently. The use of AI has sparked ethical and rights concerns, as well as criticism over the quality of AI-generated content. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to create a game using AI failed, as the technology could not replace human talent effectively. Despite such setbacks, major companies like EA and Capcom continue to explore AI's potential, with EA describing AI as central to its business and Capcom experimenting with AI to generate ideas for in-game environments. Activision's use of AI for assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 also stirred controversy, particularly over an AI-generated zombie Santa loading screen that was criticized as "AI slop."